Badass Entries

Monday, June 11, 2007

Weakness and a sermon

The weakness is my lack of writing for the competition. The sermon was my father's. I spent the weekend out at my parents' house, wishing my mum a happy birthday. Today my father, an Elder at his church, gave a terrific sermon on the need to be spiritual and not religious. This is a major peeve of mine. Too many times, I see young kids accepting Christianity and then wanting to strongarm everyone else into their newfound "cause". That's the trouble with youth, they bullrush into making everything happen on their own strength rather then relying on a bit of a faith. Strength of the flesh rather then the strength of faith. That's a long entry for another time, a lengthy rant upon my own failings as a person. Onwards and ever upwards, so we toil.

Speaking of failings, I failed to get a chunk of writing done, as I spent most of time today and yesterday with my parents and little brother, who I do not get to see as often as I'd like. Since they live in the country, it's tough to get together and see everyone. So it was a nice interlude from the busy life, getting out to Valley. Going to church today reminded me I desperately need to find my own church out here in the city. I need good spiritual people around me, I miss that fellowship.

As I hung out with my folks, we talked about the next several years and the things upcoming; my father wants to bring his RV up to the state, our desire to build some form of vehicle, tuition costs and financial status, my plans to move to Seattle after the University and so on. It dawned on me that I will be 21 next year. Twenty and one. My parents had been married for one year at that point.

I think I'm at the point where I want some form of long-term committed relationship. I don't think I was really ready at other points, what a long-term relationship really meant hadn't dawned on me. Now as I look at where I'm at in life and realize I'm looking at the start of a career by next year, I think I'm ready for the next step. I want... stability. I want foundation. I'm living here in the city by myself, with a steady job and solid educational framework. Next year I can pick up a more lucrative career with the police department as a reserve or part-time officer.

We'll see what's in store. I have faith, I've learned (through some very bitter and painful lessons) that whatever the Lord has in store is what I want. So it's cruise control for me, just lean back and have faith. No managing, no strong-arming. I will not create what I think I want. I will simply follow the path before me. Doors are opening faster then I can go through them, so it's working. The next few years will be very interesting.

I just hope I'm ultimately in Seattle by 2010 with a wife, a Seattle Police Department job and a hectic Master's degree program at University of Washington.

I also hope that tomorrow you will see my 1,000 words. I have yet to see Jay's go up, so hopefully I'm not horribly behind.

Comments

I too, see fellow Christians attempting to strong-arm others into becoming believers. I've attempted it myself,it always backfires. Rather than let the Holy Spirit move through them (or myself), and have His power shown through them, it's us that is attempting to doing the saving. We try to take the credit where none should be given.